As Saudi Arabia approaches its third century as a nation, Founding Day frames 1727 not simply as a historical milestone but as the starting point of an evolving state
It has followed economic reforms closely, explaining policy shifts to the public, assessing outcomes, and contributing to informed discussion when needed
Is the Red Sea moving toward an ordered space governed by capable states or toward a grey zone edging toward disorder? Read our February cover story to find out.
In places like Yemen, Sudan, and Somalia, which all have long coastlines along key maritime routes, the authority of the state and its institutions needs to overcome the forces of disorder.
Riyadh wants to help Yemen's various southern factions come up with creative solutions. It wants a unified Yemen, but other parties have a different agenda, complicating efforts to hold a conference.
To the east of Riyadh, on a giant campus employing advanced simulators, young Saudis are learning the mechanics of the wells and rigs of the oil and gas industry.
Scrapping foreign ownership caps and qualifying criteria will bring in more capital, with markets reacting positively to the latest reforms that build towards a more open country
When states are attacked, authority gravitates towards institutions capable of mobilising resources, enforcing discipline, and coordinating a military response
There are few examples of successful US regime-change operations in history. And without permanent ground troop presence, these wins can easily be reversed.
Cairo and Tehran have been at loggerheads since 1979, but the Iranian threat has always acted as a check on Israeli ambitions. If Iran is completely defeated, Israel will reign supreme.